Colloquium Speaker: Michael A. Caruso

Michael A. Caruso is an independent consultant, formerly Director, Government & Specialty Business Development for ETS-Lindgren. He is a recognized leader in the RF Shielded Enclosure/EMP Protection/Anechoic Test Chamber Industry with 33-years’ experience in project management, engineering, technical applications and business development. He has participated in business opportunities involving, start-ups, product launches, budgeting, proposal preparation and project management. He has a reputation for assisting customers with technological interpretations, developing strategic partnerships and creating value for customers. Mr. Caruso gained extensive Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing experience in running an EMC Laboratory as VP of Operations. The primary responsibility of the Laboratory was to test and certify the Power Electronics of the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. This experience adds to his depth of knowledge of real-world electromagnetic challenges. Mr. Caruso chaired ETS-Lindgren’s HEMP/EMP Market and Product Development Team and was the driving force for ETS-Lindgren’s Red Edge™ product development. He has lectured in EMP workshops dealing with Critical Infrastructure issues throughout the United States, South Korea and Israel. Mr. Caruso has led EMP facility evaluation teams, published several white papers and articles and has recently testified before the U.S. Congress on the need for EMP Protection of the Critical Infrastructure. He is a charter board member of the FBI sponsored INFRAGARD Midwestern EMP SIG.

Colloquium Topic: EMP and the Concern for Data Center Protection

On November 17, 2015 The US Senate Committee on Homeland Security passed the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act (CIPA) (S.1846). The bill was further advanced on May 9, 2016 when it was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 457. In light of the recent and ongoing Electromagnetic terrorist threats happening domestically and abroad, this critical legislation is a tremendous step towards protecting and preparing the critical infrastructure of the American homeland against electromagnetic pulse threats (EMP Threats). An EMP Threat is considered one of the most serious risks to our national security - so how does this affect today’s data centers?

Data center managers are recognizing Intentional Electromagnetic Interference (IEMI) and High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) as threats to resilient operations. This is especially a concern in data centers that support any of the 16 Critical Infrastructure Service Segments, such as utilities, financial institutions, healthcare and communications and others.

Nuclear proliferation has increased the threat of HEMP while the growing availability of drone aircraft with IEMI capability and terrorist/criminal awareness of commercially-available IEMI devices will undoubtedly make data center protection a long-term issue. Data center managers have begun to protect against IEMI and HEMP, both in the United States and internationally.

This presentation will discuss:

- A brief technical review of the EMP phenomenon.
- How EMP can affect the national security of our data centers, as well as examining the current legislative efforts, business and societal impact.
- EMP protection methods and implementation considerations.
- How EMP protection, as a pending legislative requirement, will apply differently to Department of Defense vs. civilian data availability requirements.